Railway vehicle buffer mechanism



May 29, 1934. zouc 1,961,094

RAILWAY VEHICLE BUFFER MECHANISM Filed March 10, 1931 1N VENTOR ,4TTURNE Y5 Patented May 29, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RAILWAYVEHICLE BUFFER MECHANISM Application March 10, 1931, Serial No. 521,431

9 Claims.

fer mechanism and has especial reference to mechanism of this characterwhich is particularly adapted for use between coupled engines andtenders.

The general type of buffer construction, furthermore, to which thisinvention relates, is that in which a plurality of buffer elements suchas a buffing part, supporting wedges and resilient or spring devices aremounted or housed at least partially within a buffer pocket structure,the la ter being adapted to be secured to the end of a vehicle framesuch, for example, as a locomotive tender.

Generally considered, the present invention has in view thesimplification of devices of this character with respect, particularly,to the construction, assembling, inspection and repair thereof.

In addition, it is the object of the present invention to improve theoperation of such buffers and to provide an arrangement of thecooperating elements which receive and absorb buffing shocks such thatthe danger or likelihood of damage or breakage thereof is reduced to aminimum. More specifically, the present invention provides displaceableabutment means for the buffer supporting springs through which thespring reaction is transmitted to other portions of the structure. Thepocket structure, further, is preferably apertured adjacent thesupporting springs so that, upon displacement of the abutment means, thesprings may be removed from or inserted in the pocket structure withoutdisturbing the supporting wedges or the buffing part itself.

How the foregoing or more or less general objects and advantages areobtained, together with others which will occur to those skilled in theart, will be apparent from a consideration of the following descriptiontaken with the accompanyin drawing, in which Figure 1 is a sideelevational view of a buffer construction embodying the improvements ofthe present invention, with certain details shown in section and certainportions of the adjacent vehicle frames between which the buffer ismounted, also. included:

Figure 2 is 'a top view partly in section and partly in elevation of thebuffer construction illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is aview similar to the sectional showing of Figure 2 butillustrating a somewhat modified construction; and

Figures 4 and 5 are side elevations-1 and sectional views, respectively,of another modified embodiment of various features of the inventionherein disclosed, Figure 5 being taken substantially as indicated by theline 5-5 of Figure 4.

Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, it will be seen that the bufferconstruction indicated in general by the reference numeral 6 is mountedbetween adjacent engine and tender frames, portions of which areindicated at '7 and 8, respectively. These frames, of course, areinterconnected by means of the usual draw bar 9 and cooperating pins 10and 11.

Mounted on a suitable buffer block 12 which is secured to the engineframe 7, is a chafing block or plate 13 which is adapted to ride or movetransversely between the transversely curved block 12 and thecooperating buffer elements, now to be described, which are mounted orsupported on the tender frame 8.

The parts associated with the tender include a buffer pocket indicatedin general by the reference numeral 14, a backing member 15 disposed atthe bottom of the pocket, a bufiing plate or member 16 projecting fromthe open front face of the pocket and wedge devices 17 interposedbetween the members 15 and 16. It should be noted that the element 16cooperates with the chafing plate 13 when the entire buifingconstruction is in assembled condition ready for operation. In addition,attention is called to the fact that thefront and rear faces of themembers 15 and 16 are, generally, of wedge-like form, each having. apair of oppositely inclined surfaces 18 and 19, respectively. Thegeneral arrangement of the foregoing parts is not a part of the presentinvention per se but is described and claimed in the copendingapplication of Norman I. Edwards, Serial Number 492,933 filed November19th, 1929, Patent No. 1,929,883, October 10, 1933, and assigned to theassignee of this application.

In accordance with the present invention, springs or spring supportingdevices 20, 21 are arranged preferably within the pocket structure toreact between each wedge 17 and an annular part 22. The springs, ofcourse, serve to urge the two wedges toward each other against theoppositely inclined faces 18 and 19 of the two members 15 and 16 inorder to urge the part 16 outwardly against the cooperating chafingblock or plate 13. i

Furthermore each collar 22 is supported as against the reaction of theassociated springs by means of a device 23 which'is received in asupplementary pocket structure 24 disposed laterally of the entirebufler mechanism adiacent the wedge 1'! with which the cooperatingsprings are pocket 14, is apertured as indicated at 25 for the insertiontherethrough of the associated springs 20, 21. These openings,furthermore, are

of sufhcient size to permit insertion of the collar 22 so that inassembling the buffer supporting parts, the springs and theircooperating abutment may be inserted after assembly of the elements 15,16 and 1'7 in the main pocket structure.

After such application of the springs and 00-- operating abutmentcollars for each of the two wedges, a bolt or the like such as indicatedat 26 is inserted therethrough, suitable apertures being provided in thewedges as well as in the annular abutment parts for this purpose. Upondrawing up the nut 2'7 on the threaded end 28 of the bolt 26, thesprings are compressed and the collars 22 drawn together suiiiciently topermit the insertion of the abutment devices 23 above referred to. Thesedevices in their preferred form have depending leg portions 29 (seeFig. 1) between which the bolt 26 is adapted to be received. The,devices 23, furthermore, are extended sufliciently in their leg portions29 as well as in the upper portions thereof to engage the-walls of thesupplementary pocket structure 24 below as well as above the opening 25therein, sothat upon release of the nut 27 the force of the springs 20,21 is transmitted to the pocket structure by engagement of the devices23 therewith as well as with the collars 22. In this way, all normalbuffing shocks and the like are transmitted through the supporting wedgedevices and the associated springs to the pocket structure and, at notime, need the bolt 26 or the associated nut 27 (with its threadedengagement with the bolt) be relied upon to resist such buffing shocks.

The bolt and nut structure 26, 27, therefore, may, if desired, beentirely removed from the buffer construction after assembly in thismanner and need not be reapplied unless and until it becomes necessaryto alter the adjustment of the spring pressure or replace any of theparts. If desired, however, this bolt may be retained in position forpurposes of ready inspection and the like, it being necessary only toloosen the associated nut 2'7 suiliciently to permit the above describedreaction of -the springs against the pocket structure 24.

Further in connection with the form of buffer illustrated in Figures 1and 2, attention is called to the fact that it is preferable to provideopenings 25 in the side walls of the main and supplemental bufferpockets of sufficient size lengthwise of the coupled vehicles to permitinsertion and removal of the springs 20, 21 and the associated parts,after certain wear occurs, in which case.

these parts move closer to the vehicle ,frame. It is also desirable, ofcourse, to provide this freedom of movement fore and aft of the vehiclefor the purpose of permitting insertion and removal of the parts afterwear has been taken up or compensated for as by means of the insertionof shimming between the member 15 and the bottom of the pocket. This maybe accomplished, for example, as disclosed in the copending applicationabove identified, by the provision of an aperture 30 in the side wall ofthe pocket adjacent the base thereof.

For purposes of convenience in assembly, the bufier pocket structure aswell as the projecting buffing plate 16 may be provided with suitablyelongated openings 31 arranged to permit the insertion of a pin 32.,This pin, however, it should be noted, serves only to retain the variousbuffer parts in assembled position in the pocket and does not performany supporting or like function during normal operation after insertionof the spring devices 20, 21.

In accordance with the showing of Figure 3, the various parts abovedescribed are entirely similar with the exception of the bolt structureemployed in compressing the springs for purposes of assembly. In thisview, separate or individual bolts -33 are applied to each wedge, itsassociated springs 20, 21 and abutment 22, the inner or small end ofeach wedge being configured to receive the bolt head 34. The operationof this particular construction is quite similar to that of Figures 1and 2, although it should be noted that in addition to the advantagesafforded by the construction of Figures 1 and 2, in accordance withFigure 3, the assembling bolts 33 may be employed individually orseparately to permit inspection or replacement of springs or the like.

Furthermore, the structure of Figures 4 and 5 also closely resemblesthat of Figures 1 and 2 as to the general arrangement of buffer parts.In this instance, however, in place of the removable and bifurcatedabutment devices 23, the side walls of the bufier pocket' are providedwith openings having alternate lips and recesses 35 which are arrangedto cooperate with complementary lips or projections 36 peripherallydisposed around a collar or ring structure 37 (see Fig. 5) after themanner of a bayonet connection. If desired, in this modification, theabutment collar 22 of Figures 1 to 3 inclusive may also'be employed totransmit the reaction of the springs 20, 21 to the bayonet ring 37. Itwill also be apparent that the assembling bolt or bolts 40 employed inthis construction may either be formed of sufllcient length to extendthroughout the entire buffer construction (as shown in Figures 1 and 2)or may be shortened (as illustrated in Figure 3) and applied to thewedges and associated parts individually. It might be noted in thisconnectionthat with the bayonet type of interconnection between thepocket structure and the spring reaction abutment means, the relativemovement of the spring supporting devices and the bar structure,lengthwise of the vehicle, is provided for by forming the centralopening 38 of the member 37 considerably larger in diameter than theoutside diameter of the shank or cylindrical portion 39 of the collar22. In this way considerable relative movement of the collar 22 and thering 37 is afforded (see Fig. 4).

The structure of Figures 4 and 5 has the distinctive advantage of beingcapable of assembly or the like entirely from the sides of the pocket,

it being noted that in this form no upwardly projecting or removableparts are employed.

I claim:

1. A railway vehicle buffer mechanism including a pocket structurehaving an opening at one side thereof, a bufling element mounted to moveinto and out of said structure through said opening during bufferoperation, wedge means between a normally fixed part of the pocketstructure and said element, said wedge means being movable laterally ofthe vehicle behind said element during buffer operation, spring meansacting between the wedge means and another normally fixed portion of thepocket structure, the pocket structure being provided with an apertureadjacent the spring means to permit removal thereof, and a displaceableabutment interposed between the ing a supporting pocket structure at theend of thevehicle having an opening atthe front thereof, a bufling partadapted to work or move in said opening during buffer operation, wedgemeans interposed between said part and a normally fixed portion of thebufler pocket structure, said wedge means and the buifing part beingprovided with complementary wedge surfaces, spring means acting on thewedge means to urge the latter in a direction to advance the bufiingpart out of said opening, said spring means being adapted to act on orbear against a normally fixed part of the pocket structure, adisplaceable abutment operatively interposed between the spring meansand the portion of the pocket structure last mentioned and normallyserving to transmit the tension or pressure of the spring means to thepocket structure, and means for relieving said abutment of the springtension or pressure, whereby to facilitate displacement of the abutmentand relieve spring tension or pressure for purposes of adjustment,repair, assembly or the like.

3. A buffer mechanism adapted for use between coupled railway vehiclesincluding a supporting pocket structure at one end of one vehicle havingan opening facing the associated or coupled vehicle, a bufling elementprojecting into the pocket structure through said, opening and adaptedto receive the buifing forces during operation, a pair of oppositelyarranged or opposed wedge devices interposed between said element and;anormally fixed part of the pocket structure, said wedges and saidelement being provided with complementary wedge or inclined surfaceswhereby to provide for movement of the wedge devices in a path extendedgenerally at right angles to the path of movement of said element, aspring associated with each wedge device and exerting pressure thereonin a direction to urge the builing element outwardly away from thevehicle on which it is mounted, the pocket structure being apertured atthe sides thereof to permit removal and insertion of the springs andfurther being provided with means, adjacent each aperture, for engaginga displaceable abutment, displaceable abutments interposed between themeans last mentioned and the springs and servingto transmit the springtension or pressure to the pocket structure, and'a common means forrelieving said abutments of the spring tension or pressure, whereby tofacilitate displacement of the abutments for purposes of assembly,disassembly, adjustment and the like.

4. A buffer mechanism adapted for use between coupled railway vehiclesincluding a supporting pocket structure at one end of one vehicle havingan opening facing the associated or coupled vehicle; a buffing elementprojecting into the pocket normally fixed part of the pocket structure,said wedges and said element being provided with complementary wedge orinclined surfaces whereby to provide for movement of the wedge devicesin a path extended generally at right angles to the path of movement ofsaid element, a spring associated with each wedge device and exertingpressure thereon in a direction to urge the bufling element outwardlyaway from the vehicle on which it is mounted, the pocket structure beingapertured at the sides thereof to permit removal and insertion of thesprings and further being provided with means, adjacent each aperture,for engaging a displaceable abutment, displaceable abutments interposedbetween the means last mentioned and the springs and serving to transmitthe spring tension or pressure to the'pocket structure, and, for eachspring, a device for relieving its associated abutment of spring tensionor pressure, whereby to facilitate displacement of the abutment forpurposes of assembly, disassembly, adjustment and the like.

5. A buffer mechanism adapted for use between coupled railway vehiclesincluding a supporting pocket structure at one end of one vehicle havingan opening facing the associated or coupled vehicle, a buffing elementprojecting into the pocket structure through said opening and adapted toreceive the bufling forces during operation, a wedge device interposedbetween said element and a normally fixed part of the pocket structure,the wedge device and said element bevehicle on which it is mounted, thepocket structure being apertured at one side thereof to per- 1 mitremoval and insertion of the spring means, and a displaceable abutmentfor transmitting the spring tension or pressure to the pocket structurehaving a bayonet connection with the pocket structureadjacent saidaperture.

6. A buffer mechanism adapted for use between coupled railway vehiclesincluding a supporting pocket structure at one end of one vehicle havingan opening facing theassociated or coupled vehicle, a bufling elementprojecting into the pocket structure through said opening and adapted toreceive the buffing forces during operation, a wedge device interposedbetween said element and a normally fixed part of the pocket structure,the wedge device and said element being provided with complementarywedge-surfaces providing for generally-lateral wedge movement duringbufier operation, spring means associated with said wedge device andexerting spring pressure on the wedge device in a direction to urge thebufling element outwardly away from the vehicle on which it is mounted,the pocket structure being apertured at one side thereof to permitremoval and insertion of the spring means, a displaceable abutment fortransmitting the spring tension or pressure to the pocket structurehaving a bayonet connection with the pocket structure adjacentsaidaperture, and a normally inoperative device for removing spring tensionor pressure from said abutment, whereby to facilitate engagement anddisengagement of said bayonet connection.

7. In a railway vehicle buffer of the type having a bufling element,supporting wedges and spring means for the latter, a pocket structureadapted to at least partially house said element, the wedges and theassociated spring means, said pocket structure having an aperture at oneside for the bumng element and further having an aperture at anotherside thereof to permit ina .eTu

sertion and removal of the spring means for purposes of assembly,disassembly, adjustment and the like, and a displaceable abutmentnormally serving as the means through which the spring tension orpressure is effective to urge the wedges to support the bufling element,said abutment, the spring means, the wedge devices and the pocketaperture for the spring means all being relatively positioned andarranged to proside thereof to permit insertion and removal of thespring means for purposes of assembly, disassembly, adjustment and thelike, a displaceable abutment normally serving as the means throughwhich the spring tension or pressure is efiective to urge the wedges tosupport the buifling element, said abutment including a bayonet lockmember arranged for access through said aperture in the pocket, thebayonet lock member, the spring means, the wedge devices and the pocketaperture all being relatively positioned and arranged to provide forinsertion and removal of the spring means through said aperture upondisplacement of the bayonet member, and normally inoperative means forremoving the spring pressure or tension from said bayonet member tofacilitate v ture at one side for the bufling element and fur-' therhaving an aperture at another side thereof to permit insertion andremoval of the resilient mechanism for purposes of assembly,disassembly, adjustment and the like, and a displaceable abutmentnormally serving as the means through which the tension or pressure ofthe resilient mechanism is eflective to urge the wedges to support thebufling element, said abutment, the resilient mechanism, the wedgedevices and the pocket aperture for said mechanism all being relativelypositioned and arranged to provide for insertion and removal of theresilient mechanism through the aperture last mentioned upondisplacement of the abutment, the resilient mechanism including anelement having a surface accessible from the exterior of the pocket andadapted to cooperate with a normally inoperative means for removing thespring pressure or tension from said abutment to facilitate displacementthereof.

GEORGE H. ZOUCK.

